Discrimination of people with dreadlocks needs to end

Dreadlocks are rope-like strands of hair formed by matting, braiding and/or twisting. Although many would say that dreads originated in Africa, upon more research, it's actually believed to stem from India. For somebody to refer an individual with dreadlocks as unkempt, or even dirty, is very ignorant when dreads are washed and kept with just like any other hairstyle is. In 2010, Chasity Jones of Alabama was offered a job position only if she got rid of her dreads because it wasn’t seen as professional dress. Since dreads are most commonly associated with people of color, to be able to deny an individual a job because of the dreads on their head is seen as discriminatory and biased, and this discrimination needs to stop.

First of all, our society's attitudes towards dreads are completely misinformed. According to AssaraShakur.org., in more biblical times and throughout many religions, dreadlocks were seen as a symbol of power as many pharaohs and spiritual leaders wore this hairstyle to symbolize the lion of Judah. Many Rastafarians grow their hair out into locks mimicking their ancestors in order to grow closer to God and become more religious.

To refer to someone with dreads as “dirty” or “unkempt” can actually be very hurtful and offensive. In fact, this is a very protective hairstyle, as it is properly washed regularly and kept twisted in order to keep the style up. Although, it never combed out, this does help with keeping the hair away from hair breakage. In fact dreads are a very protective style, as it prevents you from using heat or chemicals on your hair. Despite some people thinking that dreads look messy, dreads are actually very kept up with and well maintained. Dreads possibly take more time, effort, and products to maintain than a basic cut and style.

The media does a good job at making sure what is deemed acceptable by society. Recently it has shown that wearing dreads or any other black cultural hairstyles, are not as praised when worn by an individual of color but loved when worn by a white individual. For example, back in Febuary 2015, Zendaya (singer, actress, and fashion icon) was criticized for wearing dreadlocks to the Oscars. Giuliana Rancic of Fashion Police said that she must have smelled like “weed” and “patchouli [oil].” Many responded back negatively saying the comment were ignorant and extremely offensive, which they were. But, only recently was Kylie Jenner seen wearing her hair in a similar fashion, dreads, was she referred to as edgy. Why is society acceptable to be able to choose what's acceptable and what's not? If Chasity Jones was to be white with dreads, would she still have been denied the right to the job position she was applying for?

In actuality, there is a law banning to not employ someone based on race or background. So when Chasity took this to court as being discriminatory towards her, it was actually determined not to be racial discrimination to refuse to hire her for her dreadlocks by the 11th US circuit of appeals. Jones was trying to get a job at an insurance claims processing “professionally.” They then told her to get rid of her dreads because they tend to get messy, and when she refused, she was denied the job. Jones then sued and stated that it was racial because dreadlocks tend to be associated with African descent and culture. Although the court disagreed with a 3-0 ruling in order to dismiss the case. She was ultimately did not comply with the requests thus not getting the job.

In conclusion, not hiring or being able to deny an individual the right to a job because of his or her hair (dreadlocks) is targeting a group of people. It is widely known that dreads are worn by a specific population of people, majority of which are African American. To tell somebody that their hair is dirty and doesn’t meet standards of profession are discriminatory and offensive when in fact, they keep up with their personal hygiene just like anybody else would. To be able to turn down a person for a position is in fact racial discrimination.